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County on verge on signing defender as two arrive at Rodney Parade

Newport County are close to completing a deal for an as-yet unnamed defender ahead of their return to the Football League.

Manager Justin Edinburgh has already confirmed he will not be making wholesale changes to the squad who won promotion back to the top four tiers of English football by beating Wrexham in the Blue Square Bet Premier playoffs, but he is looking to add strength in certain areas.

A new defender is understood to be next on his hit-list and ITV News understands he is close to completing a deal.

Edinburgh has already completed the signings of former Oxford United midfielder Adam Chapman and 6ft 3in Cheltenham Town striker Chris Zebroski.

Northern Ireland U21 international Chapman returns to County after a loan spell at the club during Just Edinburgh’s first season in charge and after spending last term on loan at Conference champions Mansfield Town.

Zebroski arrives from Cheltenham Town having previously had spells at Bristol Rovers, Plymouth, Millwall, Torquay and Wycombe Wanderers.

“We obviously have a hit list and these two players were on top of that list and I am delighted that what we aimed for, we got ” said Edinburgh.

He added: "We kept the majority of the players from last season and now added two quality players that will make us stronger. Zebroski is 6ft 3inches and at a great age of 26.

“Adam was with promoted champions Mansfield this season and he’s a great asset to the team as he gets forward and score goals which will fit into the style of football we want to play here next season.”